Sunscreen in the Eyes – OUCH!

If you have ever gotten sunscreen in your eyes, you are aware just how painful it can be. A very good rub in the eye can often result in burning that lasts for hours. It can take hours until the victim can feel comfortable enough to open his eyes, especially outside in the bright sun.

Needless to say rubbing sunblock in your eyes can cause a quick stop to a day at the beach in an instant. Although it is common that effects will last for some time, relief will come more quickly with the right attention.

The most effective treatment is to rinse the eye under a stream of water for some time. This will rinse the lotion out of the eye however it may not ease the burning at once. While it won’t help to remove the sunscreen, applying cool, wet compresses to the eyes may cause some relief. Eye drops such as ClearEyes may assist in cleaning out the eye, but it is likely they will cause burning.

Don’t forget, although the summer is nearing its end, it is advised to wear sunscreen throughout the year to guard your skin from harmful ultraviolet light.

Preventative Tips

1.    Never spray sunblock straight on the face. Apply to the hands and rub into the face.
2.    Never permit small kids to put on lotion themselves.
3.    Don’t leave sunblock in reach of children .
4.    Never let small children rub in sunscreen. If they have sunblock on their hands they may rub it       in their eyes.
5.    Do not apply sunscreen too close to the eyes.
6.    Use large sunglasses to guard the eyes and the areas around them from ultraviolet rays.

Book Your Annual Eye Examination in Rye Brook, NY, in honor of Cataracts Awareness Month

Many individuals aren’t aware that cataracts are the primary culprit for sight loss in individuals over age 54. In truth, more than 50% of the population above 65 have some degree of cataracts.

What are cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. The clouding prevents the passage of light that is essential for proper eyesight.

Signs of cataracts

Often people over 40 associate loss of sight with age, but cataracts do have certain symptoms that are distinct from normal age-related eyesight loss. Depending on the type of cataract, symptoms include hazy vision, increased glare from sun light or artificial light, or a noticeable dullness of colors. Some cataracts show no symptoms until they are more advanced while others may even result in a temporary improvement in near vision called ”second sight.”

Types of Cataracts

There are three main types of cataracts which are differentiated by the position within the lens. A subcapsular cataract occurs at the rear of the lens. Subcapsular cataracts are especially common amongst individuals that have diabetes, high farsightedness or retinitis pigmentosa or are taking large amounts of steroids.A cataract positioned in the central zone (nucleus) of the lens is called a nuclear cataract and is typically a result of increased age. The third type of cataract, a cortical cataract generally starts in the cortex of the lens, the part surrounding the nucleus. Cortical cataracts are characterized by cloudy blotches that start in the outer areas of the lens and work their way to the central area.

Preventing and Treating Cataracts

There is no guaranteed way to prevent the development of cataracts but some say that reducing UV exposure to your eyes by wearing sunglasses can reduce cataract development. Some studies indicate that antioxidants and reduced salt consumption may also be preventative.

During the early stages, visual aids can help treat vision loss, however, at some point eyesight may be impaired enough to necessitate surgery. Cataract surgery is actually the most frequently performed surgery in America and is typically quite successful. In the standard surgery, the doctor removes the lens and implants what is called an intraocular lens (IOL) made of plastic. In 90% of patients, nearly perfect vision is achieved.

To ensure early diagnosis and treatment it is important to schedule an annual eye examination to detect signs of vision diseases such as cataracts. Contact our Rye Brook, NY optometry practice today to schedule your appointment.

Copeland, Fertig, and Kramer Optometric Eye Associates, LLP
Dr. Arthur M. Copeland OD, Dr. Judith Guest Copeland OD
Rye South
200 South Ridge Street
914-939-0830

http://www.westchestereyedoctors.com/